Local Market Monitor recently released their monthly National Economic Outlook where they share their thoughts on developments taking place in the U.S. economy. “Historically, a boom in home prices has always been followed by a bust. That hasn’t been the case this time…or at least not yet. But a readjustment of home prices – a gentler way of calling it a crash – is just around the corner if the economy continues to deteriorate.” Click here to read more at Local Market Monitor.
Author: Brad Beckett
Brad Beckett
Director of Education & Outreach, National Real Estate Investors Association
The 2026 Atlantic hurricane season officially began on June 1, and will end on November 30, 2026. And, while the National Weather Service is predicting a below-normal hurricane season, if you have property in a hurricane-prone area, or are traveling to one, make sure you know the basics. Your preparation could make all the difference. That being said, today’s graphic from Growing Produce (citing data from the National Hurricane Center) reveals the names already planned for this year’s season…let’s just hope they don’t get to even half of them. Stay safe and have a Happy Friday!!! Click here to read…
Several states across the nation are holding sales tax holidays during the back-to-school season. Whether you think this is good or bad public policy is for another day; the bottom-line is saving your hard-earned money! The data has been provided by the Sale Tax Institute and actually covers the entire year – as well as many more products than just school supplies & clothing. Be sure to read your state’s “fine-print” for this exemption at their corresponding web site. This list is subject to change and some states have already had sales tax holidays in 2025. 2026’s Upcoming States: Alabama…
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has proposed a new rule that would update the federal definition of a manufactured home and create opportunities for innovative multi-story manufactured housing. The proposal would revise a HUD rule to allow upper-floor sections of manufactured homes to be transported and assembled without requiring a permanent chassis. The change is intended to modernize construction standards, expand design flexibility, and support new approaches to developing affordable manufactured housing. HUD says over 20 million Americans across the country reside in manufactured homes, and the manufactured home industry employs tens of thousands of Americans nationwide.…
The U.S. government is reporting that privately‐owned housing starts in May, 2026 were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,177,000, which is 15.4% lower than April’s revised number and is 8.7% lower than one year ago. May’s rate for buildings with five units or more was 284k. Privately‐owned housing units authorized by building permits in May were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,413,000, which is 0.7% lower than April’s revised number and is 0.2% lower than one year ago. Authorizations of units in buildings with five units or more were at a rate of 474k in May.…
The Tax Foundation says as we head into the summer months, many Americans enjoy a cold beer at the end of a long day. However, beer taxes might dampen the vibe. They point out that here in the U.S., taxes are the single most expensive ingredient in beer. This burden accounts for more of the final price of beer than labor & ingredients combined – as much as 40.8% of the retail price. The states that place the highest tax burden on beer are Tennessee at $1.287 per gallon, Alaska at $1.07 per gallon, and Hawaii at $0.93 per gallon.…
According to Realtor.com, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has proposed a major overhaul of the state’s property tax system that could eliminate property taxes for most owner-occupied homes. He has called for a special legislative session to consider placing a constitutional amendment on the November ballot that would make homestead properties tax-free. If lawmakers approve the measure, Florida voters would decide its fate this Fall. A key part of the proposal is increasing Florida’s homestead exemption from its current $50,000 level to $250,000. Indeed… “You pay all these taxes to acquire that property, and then, year after year, you have to…
The National Association of Realtors is reporting that pending home sales were up 3.8% in May and up 4.8% year over year. The NAR’s Pending Home Sales Index (a forward-looking indicator based on contract signings) came in at 76.8 in May. Month-over-month and year-over-year pending home sales rose in the Northeast, Midwest, South and West. “A late spring buyer rush—even with mortgage rates not budging—is an indication of pent-up housing demand and consumers’ acceptance of above-6% mortgage rates as the new normal…More supply is needed to help moderate home price growth.” Said the NAR’s Chief Economist, Lawrence Yun. Click here…
The Visual Capitalist says for many Americans, electricity is becoming an increasingly important cost-of-living expense. In today’s chart, they show that Americans pay anywhere from 12¢ to 42¢ per kWh for residential electricity, depending on where they live. Indeed…stay safe and have a Happy Friday!!! Notably, consumers in Hawaii paid 42¢ per kWh, while residents of North Dakota paid just 12¢. The gap illustrates how geography, fuel availability, and energy infrastructure can have a major impact on monthly living costs. Hat tip to the Visual Capitalist.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics is reporting that the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.5% on a seasonally adjusted basis in May. Over the last 12 months, the all items index increased 4.2% before seasonal adjustment. The index for energy rose 3.9% (accounting for over 60% of the monthly all items increase) and shelter index increased 0.3%. Click here to read the full release at the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
